Procedure Spotlight
- Hand conditions are an area of special interest to Dr Safvat
- Hand injury can vary from minor laceration to a crushed and mangled hand.
- The aim of surgery in all cases is to get the quickest and best possible functional results for the patients’ hand.
Dr Safvat is actively involved in the management of acute hand trauma. Hand conditions are an area of special interest to him and he has gained a lot of experience in both elective hand procedures and hand trauma. He works closely with hand therapists in Sydney and beyond to optimise the recovery of his patients after an injury.
Hand injury can vary from minor laceration to a crushed and mangled hand. The most common acute hand injuries treated by Dr Safvat include injuries to the tendons, nerves, joints, and blood vessels; fractured bones; burns, lacerations, amputated fingers and other injuries to the skin.
The aim of surgery in all cases is to get the quickest and best possible functional results for the patients’ hand. At times this may require complicated replantation of an amputated finger at other times a simpler procedure will get the patient back on with their lives quicker. In all cases the options are thoroughly discussed with the patients before the surgery and their wishes taken into the account.
Technique
The technique for surgery will depend on what injury has taken place.
There are different procedures done to repair injured hands, including injuries to the tendons, nerves, blood vessels and joints as well as fractured bones and burns, cuts and other injuries to the skin.
Some of the more common techniques used to repair these injuries are:
- Graft – this involves the transfer of skin, bone, nerves, or other tissue from a healthy part of the body to repair the injured area.
- Flaps – moving the skin along with its underlying fat, blood vessels, and muscle from a healthy part of the body to the injured site
- Replantation or transplantation – this is a complex procedure where fingers or hands that are accidently amputated are replanted using microsurgery. Microsurgery is a very precise and delicate surgery performed under magnification. In some cases, more than one operation may be required
In many cases, surgery can restore a significant degree of feeling and function to injured hands.
Dr Safvat will explain the technique that he will use in detail during your consultation.
Recovery
As the hand can be quite sensitive, you may have some pain following surgery. Dr Safvat will prescribe appropriate pain medication as needed. Post-operatively, the hand and wrist are usually wrapped in a bandage and splint (plaster). Patients are discharged with a sling to elevate their hands and usually on some antibiotics. The dressing needs to stay dry and intact for one or two weeks after the surgery, depending on the severity of the injury. Hand therapy will usually be organised after that.
Dr Safvat will follow up with his patients regularly to ensure their continuous improvement and recovery.
Scars
There is no way to prevent scars completely after surgery and everyone can scar differently. However, the techniques Dr Safvat uses to suture his wounds are designed to minimise scarring. What’s more, any scarring will fade over time, especially if they are cared for correctly.
Patients who have followed Dr Safvat’s protocol for scar management diligently have been very pleased with their progress in reducing and fading of scars.
Dr Safvat will provide you with his specific protocol for scar management that will help you protect and care for your incisions in a way that will minimise scarring.
Complications
While all care and diligence is taken by Dr Safvat to minimise or avoid complications, any surgical procedure can be associated with some general complications and/or specific complications related to the surgery you are having. Choosing a Specialist Plastic Surgeon such as Dr Safvat and having your procedure done in an accredited hospital minimises risks as does using an accredited Anaesthetist.
Some general surgical potential complications are:
- Infection that may require antibiotics (Dr Safvat prescribes all patients antibiotics after surgery to minimise this risk).
- Fluid build up under the skin (seroma).
- Allergic reaction to dressings and other items used during the procedure.
- The formation of blood collection (haematoma) which could require additional surgery.
- Scars heal differently in different people. Some people are genetically prone to develop keloid scars. Hypertrophic scars develop when there is a complication in the healing process. Whilst not ideal, there is no threat to your health if you develop these.
- Anyone can have a heart attack or stroke from a clot. This risk is slightly increased with anaesthetics.
Cost
Hand Injury and Trauma has a Medicare item number and patients should get a rebate from Medicare and their health fund (where applicable). The hospital costs are usually covered by private health funds depending on the patient’s level and type of coverage. Alternatively, you can have the procedure done in a Private Hospital as a Self-Funded patient. Detailed information regarding costs will be provided to you after your consultation.
Frequently asked questions
How quickly can I have surgery?
This will depend on the extent of the injury and the procedure required to fix it. In most cases, if it something that needs to be done urgently, we can organise this to happen within the required time frame.
Do you see patients who have had a work injury?
Yes, we do see patients who have had a work injury. The patient will require approval to see Dr Safvat (except in the case of emergencies) and will need to provide a claim number.
Once I have the surgery, will I require any further treatment?
Depending on the nature of the injury, most patients will require hand therapy following their surgery. Dr Safvat will go through the recovery process in detail during the consultation.
Will further surgery be required?
This will depend on the extent of the problem. In some cases, additional surgery may be required to restore your hand’s function and, in some cases, appearance.
Dr André Safvat – Specialist Plastic Surgeon
Renowned for his dedication to his patients, his attention to detail and impeccable outcomes, Dr Safvat’s unparalleled expertise is reflected in the quality, professionalism and dedication of every member of our team.
